Two Cape Town cops, who are allegedly part of a crowbar gang, have been arrested after they were found to have taken official police vehicles and used cloned number plates.
Bellville police arrested the two constables and three civilians after spotting them acting in a suspicious manner late on Thursday night.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut said at around 10.30pm, the members spotted two vehicles, a VW Caddy and a marked police Opel Corsa, under suspicious circumstances in their area.
“Both vehicles were held under observation and followed, until they stopped at a residence in De Grendel Avenue, Parow North,” Traut said.
He said the suspects spotted the cops and fled but were caught.
Traut said the VW Caddy, an official SAPS vehicle, was driven by a police constable and he had two civilian passengers, while the Opel Corsa was also found to be an official SAPS vehicle, which was driven by a civilian while his passenger was a police constable.
“Both vehicles were fitted with cloned registration plates and it was established that the vehicles were removed from SAPS premises without the necessary authorisation,” he added.
“The suspects, aged between 30 and 35, were arrested after they were also found in possession of housebreaking implements, comprising a crowbar, cable ties and gloves.”
“The suspects are expected to make a court appearance today in Bellville to face charges of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of housebreaking implements and theft of number plates.
“Their involvement in house robbery cases is now being investigated as one of the vehicles was seen fleeing a house robbery in Durbanville earlier this month.”